Jopwell

Porter Braswell explains how he and his co-founder built Jopwell, a career advancement platform connecting Black, Latino, Hispanic, and Native American students and professionals with employers. He describes using his own experience with underrepresentation to identify the problem, securing early employer commitments, and building the product after raising initial funding. The talk argues that founders should focus on solving a real customer problem and building a good business, with funding as a possible outcome rather than the goal. Braswell also shares lessons on company culture, leadership, and making diversity efforts specific and intentional.